One reason to sew

Back in the day, sewing was often viewed as an economic choice - we sewed because it was a less expensive way to have the garments we needed or wanted. Today a lot of sewists feel that the economy of sewing has given way to sewing as primarily a creative outlet. The prices we pay today for quality fabrics, supplies and machines are certainly high, and correspondingly the price of ready-to-wear has fallen in many instances. But I recently received an ad from an upscale retailer that really set me to wondering.

Disclaimer:  I am not attempting to cast aspersions on this, or any, retailer. If they can command this price for this item then more power to them. Hopefully the workers actually creating these garments are paid well and treated fairly, but that’s not what I’m looking at here.

This is a popover style dress crafted from “lightweight organic linen” per the ad copy. It currently retails for $898 (US). It doesn’t appear to be lined, or have pockets. It is available in a decent range of sizes, but only in one color.

So, could we make this one less expensively?

What originally struck me when I saw this ad was how much it resembled the pattern I had just made - the About Town Popover from Pattern Emporium. Here’s a look at the line drawings of this pattern: 

Lots of choices in this pattern and its sizing is very inclusive. I think you could make a very similar dress to the RTW version above. You’d spend $15 (US) for the pattern.

As for the fabric, I’m seeing lightweight to mid-weight linen selling for about $25 to $50 per yard for a range of colors and stripes. That style of dress could most likely be made in any of the pattern sizes for 3 yards (or less).

So yes, even adding in additional costs to the home sewer - thread, interfacing, pattern printing etc. - this would be a bargain sew - with the bonus of (hopefully) a better fit for your individual body.

Where it gets trickier is sewing items from mid-range or bargain vendors for a better cost. I have yet to source Pima cotton jersey yardage for a price that would allow me to stitch basic tees for a competitive cost to RTW - I still sew some for better fit, or a certain color or style, but even non-Pima cotton yardage is getting very pricey these days. (Tariffs?)

Still, even if our cost per garment is fairly even with RTW prices, there is an area where we can do better than store bought - cost per wear. This becomes very apparent when looking at ‘fast fashion’ -these items are often so shoddily made that they can’t hope to last through multiple wears and cleanings. Even garments from mid-range retailers can fall victim to poorly sewn seams, fraying fabric, loose buttons and shrinkage the first time they’re washed. I know when I take extra care with fabric choice, preparation, seam finishes and cleaning with items I make they stay looking good through many more wearings than some of my ‘bargain’ purchases.

So, can we still say we can save money by sewing?  Or are we in it for the creativity - or both?